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Regional press complaints resolved

The majority of complaints made to the Press Complaints Commission, which raise a possible breach of the Code of Practice, are resolved directly between the Commission’s staff, editors and complainants.

These are either settled to the express satisfaction of the complainant following some remedial action by the editor or are not pursued by complainants following an explanation or other response from the publication.

Listed here are summaries of complaints involving the regional press which fall into the first category.

Aberdeen & District IndependentA couple complained that an article had published intrusive material about their son’s health and that they had been approached persistently by several reporters. (Clauses: 4, 6, 13) Resolution: The newspaper offered its view on the article, adding that the child had not been named and that no attempt to approach any family member had been made.

The HeraldA couple complained that a number of articles had published intrusive material about their son’s health and that they had been approached persistently by several reporters. (Clauses: 4, 6, 13) Resolution: The newspaper explained the circumstances of the story, confirmed that no approaches had been made, and apologised for any distress caused to the complainants and their son.

Derbyshire TimesMrs Avril Johns, Chief Executive of the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital, complained that an article about the recruitment of foreign nurses was unfounded and prejudiced. (Clause: 1) Resolution: The newspaper published a letter from the complainant.

The OrcadianMr Scott Mauchlen of Orkney complained that an article about him being cleared from the charge of abandoning a child had failed to mention him by name, whereas the original story reporting the event had named him. (Clause: 1) Resolution: The newspaper published a correction stating his name and an apology.

Aberdeen Press & JournalMr J Alan Donnelly of Aberdeen complained that an article inaccurately reported that he was taking Aberdeen City Council to an Industrial Tribunal after losing his job (Clauses: 1, 3) Resolution: The newspaper published a correction, which also made clear that the complainant had been reinstated to the council’s register of casual social workers.

Aberdeen Evening ExpressMr J Alan Donnelly of Aberdeen complained that an article inaccurately reported that he was taking Aberdeen City Council to an Industrial Tribunal after losing his job. (Clauses: 1, 3) Resolution: The newspaper published a correction, which also made clear that the complainant had been reinstated to the council’s register of casual social workers.

Halifax Evening CourierIrish RLFC Vice-Chairman Mr John Maguire complained that his remarks to a reporter had been inaccurately and misleadingly reported. (Clauses: 1, 11) Resolution: The newspaper met with the complainant and apologised for any distress caused by the piece.

Guernsey Press & StarA woman from Guernsey complained that an article had published details about her health. (Clause: 3) Resolution: The editor sent the complainant a full letter of apology.

News & StarMs C McVey of Carlisle complained that a photograph and number of a house she owned had been published in connection with articles reporting a trial for drug offences. (Clause: 3) Resolution: The newspaper explained why the information had been published, offered to print a letter making clear that the current owners of the house had no connection with the trial, and undertook not to publish the photograph again in relation to the matter.

Eastbourne HeraldMr Peter White, the Secretary of the The Royal Eastbourne Golf Club, complained that an article gave the incorrect impression that he had co-operated with the newspaper in an account of the involvement of one of the club’s members in the tragedy of September 11th. (Clause: 4) Resolution: The newspaper wrote an open letter to the Golf Club stressing that no confidence was breached on the part of the complainant in this matter.

Solihull NewsMs Katherine Kerswell, the Chief Executive of the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, complained that an article inaccurately gave the impression that a final decision was to be made on the future of a local park. (Clause: 1) Resolution: The newspaper published an apology and provided the complainant with an opportunity to present the Council’s side of the story.

Lancashire Evening TelegraphA woman complained that a report concerning criminal charges brought against her husband had identified both her and her daughters, one of whom was below the age of 16. (Clause: 3, 6, 10, 10) Resolution: The editor wrote a personal letter of apology to the family, removed the offending report from the newspaper’s website and gave an assurance that any subsequent reports relating to the charges would not repeat the family relation.

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